Scenario: Adapted from CMG study guide and prescribed book (1st ed., 2019)
Ms. Peterson was a dedicated and innovative educator who recognised the importance of motivation in
fostering a dynamic and engaging learning environment. She believed motivation was pivotal to
learners' academic success and personal development. To cultivate intrinsic and extrinsic motivation,
she implemented strategies encouraging goal setting, self-regulation and perseverance among her
learners. Understanding that a structured yet flexible classroom environment enhanced learner
participation, she actively involved learners in co-creating classroom rules and expectations. This
approach empowered learners to take ownership of their learning environment, and fostered
responsibility and self-discipline in them. She also used diverse teaching methodologies such as
project-based learning, peer collaboration and differentiated instruction, to accommodate multiple
intelligences and learning preferences.
Ms. Peterson valued positive reinforcement and provided timely feedback to enhance learners'
self-efficacy. She integrated real-world applications into her lessons, making learning relevant and
meaningful.
In addition, she established strong educator–learner relationships by demonstrating empathy, active
listening and open communication. She encouraged cultural inclusivity and socialisation by
incorporating intercultural exchanges and collaborative activities. To further enrich the learning
experience, Ms. Peterson designed her classroom to be aesthetically stimulating and conducive to
learning. Visual aids, interactive displays and flexible seating arrangements optimised engagement.
She also recognised the importance of parental involvement, and worked closely with families to
bridge home and school learning experiences. Through these holistic efforts, Ms. Peterson successfully
nurtured a learning environment in which learners felt motivated, valued and capable of achieving
their full potential.
Question 1
1.1. Apply the strategies which Ms. Peterson used to a real-life classroom scenario where
learners exhibit low motivation. How would you modify her approach to suit different learning
contexts?
In a real-life classroom scenario where learners exhibit low motivation, Ms. Peterson’s strategies can
be effectively applied by adapting them to suit the specific learning context while maintaining the
core principles that underpin her approach. Ms. Peterson believed that motivation plays a pivotal role
in learners' academic success and personal development, and she therefore implemented strategies
that promoted goal setting, self-regulation, and perseverance. In a classroom where motivation is low,
these strategies would involve guiding learners to set small, manageable goals and teaching them
self-regulatory techniques such as using checklists and time management tools. This approach fosters
a sense of control over the learning process and builds perseverance through the recognition of effort
and small achievements (Coetzee et al., 2019).
, Ms. Peterson also actively involved learners in co-creating classroom rules and expectations, a
strategy that fosters responsibility and self-discipline. In a context of low motivation, inviting
learners to participate in decision-making around classroom norms can enhance their sense of
ownership and intrinsic motivation (CMG3701, 2021). Furthermore, she employed diverse teaching
methodologies, including project-based learning, peer collaboration, and differentiated instruction. In
practice, this could involve designing learning tasks that are relevant to learners' lives and interests,
facilitating cooperative group work to build social support, and adapting tasks to cater for varying
ability levels, thereby promoting competence and engagement (Coetzee et al., 2019).
Positive reinforcement and timely feedback are central to Ms. Peterson’s strategy for enhancing
learners’ self-efficacy. In a demotivated classroom, this would mean consistently providing specific
praise for effort and improvement, and offering constructive feedback to guide learners toward
achieving their goals. Additionally, integrating real-world applications helps make learning more
meaningful. Linking content to learners’ cultural backgrounds, interests, and future aspirations can
significantly increase their engagement (CMG3701, 2021).
Strong educator–learner relationships are another cornerstone of Ms. Peterson’s approach. She
established these relationships through empathy, active listening, and open communication.
Educators in low-motivation settings must create an emotionally safe and trusting environment
where learners feel valued. Ms. Peterson also promoted cultural inclusivity and encouraged
socialisation through collaborative activities and intercultural exchanges, thereby fostering a sense of
belonging. In a diverse classroom, using culturally responsive pedagogy ensures that teaching
methods and content respect and reflect learners’ backgrounds (Coetzee et al., 2019).
She also paid attention to the physical environment by creating aesthetically stimulating and flexible
classroom spaces. Even in low-resource settings, arranging the room to facilitate collaboration and
using simple visual aids can enhance engagement. Finally, she acknowledged the importance of
parental involvement. In contexts with low motivation, working closely with families can help
reinforce positive attitudes toward learning and provide consistent support between home and school
(CMG3701, 2021).
Modifying Ms. Peterson’s approach for different learning contexts requires flexibility. In large
classes, engaging every learner can be difficult; thus, relying on cooperative learning and using
technology—such as flipped classrooms and digital feedback tools—can enhance participation. In
resource-constrained environments, the use of peer collaboration and low-cost materials becomes
essential. In culturally diverse classrooms, strategies must be adapted to ensure cultural relevance
and inclusivity. Age differences also necessitate adjustments: younger learners benefit from
structured, play-based approaches and guided goal-setting, while older learners can handle more
abstract tasks and take on leadership roles in classroom management (Coetzee et al., 2019).
Ultimately, applying and modifying Ms. Peterson’s strategies involves creating a learner-centred,
inclusive, and engaging environment. By promoting competence, autonomy, and relatedness,
educators can increase intrinsic motivation and help learners feel capable and valued in their
academic journey (CMG3701, 2021; Coetzee et al., 2019).